Disassembled fire-bomb package



H. G. LANKFORD DISASSEMBLED FIRE-BOMB PACKAGE June 7, 1955 2Sheetl's-Sheet 1 Filed Dec. 5, 1951 FIG.

mA\ I INVENTOR. HARRY G. LANKFORD Jiwr' ArTok/vErs June 7, 1955 LANKFORD2,710,096

DISASSEMBLED F IRE-BOMB PACKAGE Filed Dec. 5, '1951 2 Sheets-Sheet 2INVENTOR- HARRY G. LANKFORD ATTORNEYS United States Patent DISASSEMBLEDFIRE-BOMB PACKAGE Harry G. Lankford, Wichita, Kaus Application December5, 1951, Serial No. 259,945

6 Claims. (Cl. 206-46) This invention relates to packaging methods andmeans. In one aspect, the invention relates to a package wherein thesupporting, spacing, and padding functions for an article in the packageare performed by one material. In another aspect, the invention relatesto a method for constructing an improved package wherein the samematerial performs the functions of supporting, spacing, and padding thearticle within the package. In one embodiment, a package is providedwherein fiberboard is shaped to fit an article to be packaged such thatthe article is supported and spaced from the outer covering of thepackage and from other articles in the package, the fiberboard alsoacting as padding for the article to prevent damage thereto fromabrasion, blows, or other action which may occur during shipping orstoring operations. My invention also contemplates a method forconstructing the new package of my invention.

Broadly speaking, a package comprises an outer cover, inner supporting,spacing, and padding means, and the article itself. The term article asused in this application includes articles of manufacture, machines, andarticles of nature. In order to protect the article during handling,shipping, and storage, it is necessary to secure the article firmlywithin the package so as to prevent movement of the article within theouter cover. Another requirement for the protection of the article isthat the article must be suspended and free from contact with the sidesand bottom of the package and with other articles in the package. Stillanother requirement is that the article must be padded at points ofcontact with the supporting and spacing means so as to prevent damage tothe article by action of these means on the article.

In order to accomplish these functions of supporting, spacing, andpadding of the article, many materials must be used and much effortexpended in the construction of present packages. For example,spacing-and supporting materials presently used in the art include wood,metal, and the like. Padding materials used to protect the article atpoints of contact with the supporting and spacing materials includefelt, rubber, cloth, hair, paper, etc. Materials utilized to securethese various supporting, spacing, and padding materials to one anotherand to the outer cover of the package in presently known packagesinclude nails, screws, staples, bolts, rivets, glue, and the like.

Packages containing such a wide variety of materials in the innersupporting, spacing, and padding means are characterized by manydifi'iculties, for example, they are very expensive, difficult toconstruct, require many manhours for construction, are not adapted toassembly line production, require a large inventory of many differentmaterials, require a large amount of floor space in construction andassembly, are not usable in all climates, and are not versatile in thateach type of article to be packaged requires different types of innermaterials and fastening means therefor.

By the practice of my invention, these difliculties are avoided in thatthe supporting, spacing and padding means are all of the same material,i. e., fiberboard, there- 2,710,096 Patented June 7, 1955 by reducingthe cost of materials, reducing the manhours required for construction,providing a simple, sturdy, easy-to-construct package which can be used,in all climates and places. The term fiberboard, as used in thisapplication, refers to a block-formed fibrous material in the nature ofa construction or insulating board, said fibrous material preferablyhaving a density in the range of 10 to 25 pounds per cubic foot.

Other advantages to be gained by the practice of my invention will beapparent from the discussion and diclosure contained herein.

An object of my invention is to provide an inexpensive, sturdy, light,compact, and easy-to-construct package.

Another object of the invention is to provide a package wherein thesupporting, spacing, and padding means for the article in the packagecomprises one material.

Another object of the invention is to provide a package that can bestored or shipped in any position.

Another object of the invention is to provide a package wherein theinner supporting, spacing, and padding means is non-corrosive,non-abrasive, non-hygroscopic, fungus proof, and mildew proof.

Another object of my invention is to provide a package wherein thesupporting, spacing, and padding means for the article in the packagecomprises a material having a pH in the range of 6.5 to 7.5.

Another object of my invention is to provide a method for constucting apackage of the nature described.

Other objects and advantages will be apparent upon reading the followingdiscussion and description.

According to my invention, fiberboard is die-cut, punched, drilled,sawed, routed, scored, or otherwise worked so as to cooperate with thearticle to be packaged such that the article is supported or suspendedin the package and spaced from the outer cover of the package and fromother articles that may be in the package. The fiberboard also acts aspadding means for the article. Usually I prefer to utilize fiberboardnear each end of the article, the fiberboard being worked as describedabove so that the end of the article fits snugly in a recess ordepression in the fiberboard. The recess or depression may be formed byany of the above mentioned methods and is of such size and shape thatthe article will be firmly secured by cooperation of the fiberboard andthe article. The fiberboard and article can be held in close cooperationby the action of the outer cover of the package upon the fiberboard, ortieing means may be employed to hold the fiberboard and article in closecontact, thereby forming a separateunit within the outer cover of thepackage.

For the packaging of certain metal articles in the practice of myinvention wherein protection of the article from corrosion is animportant requirement, fiberboard having a pH in the range of 6.5 to 7.5is preferred. It is obvious, however, that all packages do not requirethat materials in contact with the article being packaged becorrosion-resistant; therefore, I do not wish to be lim-,

ited to fiberboard means having a pH in the above mentioned range.Fiberboard made from wood fibers, sugar cane fibers (bagasse), jutefibers, flax fibers, straw fibers,

hemp fibers, or the like, which is felted, produced from a slurry whichhas been neutralized to a pH of 6.5 to 7.5 with basic material from theusual acidic slurry, containing bitumens to waterproof and enhance wetstrength, and usually called softboards, has been found particularlyuseful in the practice of my invention.

The size and shape of the fiberboard supporting, spacing, and paddingmeans can vary widely, and depends on such factors as the size, shape,and nature of the article being packaged, and the specifications as tostrength and the like which the package must meet. Generally speaking,the fiberboard will be of such dimension so as to project beyond thearticle and space the article from the outer cover of the package, andwill be of sufficient thickness to support or suspend the article withinthe outer cover of the package. The required dimensions for anyparticular case can be readily determined by those skilled in the artafter reading the discussion and disclosure herein contained.

My invention can be more clearly understood by reference to theaccompanying drawing wherein:

Fig. 1 is a plan view showing a hollow center case element andcone-shaped end case elements of a disassembled casing, in particular adisassembled fire-bomb case, packaged according to my invention. Aportion of the outer cover has been broken away to show the arrangementand cooperation of the elements of the bomb case and the fiberboardmembers.

Fig. 2 is a perspective view of the package of Fig. l with the outercover in position for application.

Fig. 3 is an exploded view of the elements of the bomb case and thefiberboard members.

Fig. 4 is a perspective view of a pair of airplane ailerons beingpackaged according to my invention.

Fig. 5 is a rear view of the ailerons and fiberboard members of Fig. 4.

Fig. 6 is a perspective view of the fiberboard members of Fig. 4.

Referring now to Figs. l, 2, and 3, reference number indicates the outercover of the package. The cover is of wood construction and is closedand fastened by wire bands 16. The disassembled metal fire-bomb case iscomprised of center cylinder 17, and cone-shaped end elements 18 and 19.Fiberboard member 20 is provided with grooves 21 and 22 which extendpartially therethrough and snugly receive and engage the lip of centercylinder 17 at one end and the lip of end element 18 at the basethereof, respectively. Holes 23 are spaced around the bottom of groove21 to receive studs 24 on center cylinder 17. Fibcrboard member 25 isprovided with groove 26 which extends partially therethrough and isadapted to snugly receive and engage the lip of cylinder 17 at the otherend, holes 27 being spaced along the bottom of groove 26 so as toreceive studs 28 on center cylinder 17. Fiberboard member 25 is furtherprovided with recess 29 which extends partially through member 25 and isadapted to snugly receive and engage the apex end of bomb element 19.Hole 30 in fiberboard member 25 is centrally positioned in recess 29 soas to receive nipple 31 on element 19. End element 18 of the bomb isprovided with fiberboard washer 32 and with fiberboard discs 33 whichcooperate with the lip at the base, and with the inside of element 15respectively, such that when element 18 is inserted into element 19, theoverall length of the unit thus formed is substantially equal to thelength of cylinder 17. The fuse 34 of the bomb projects through anaperture in the middle or". disk member 33. The various fiberboardmembers utilized in this package preferably have a pH in the range of6.5 to

7.5 so as to prevent corrosion of the metal bomb ele-- ments at pointsof contact with the fiberboard members.

In assemblying the disassembled fire-bomb case package illustrated inFigs. 1, 2, and 3, fiberboard washer 32 is passed over the smaller endof element 18 until it tightly engages element 18 as shown. Disc 33 isthen placed in position on the end of element 18 and the base of element18 is placed in groove 22 of fiberboard member 20. Element 19 is thenplaced over element 18 so that the base lip of element 19 engages washer32 and the inside of element 19 engages the outer diameter of disc 33 asshown. One end of center cylinder 17 is then inserted into groove 21with studs 24 extending into holes 23. Fiberboard member 25 is thenplaced in position so that the other end of cylinder 17 engages groove26, with studs 28 extending into holes 27, and the apex end of element19 fits into groove 29, with nipple 31 extending into hole 30.Cooperation between.

the various bomb case elements and fiberboard members is maintained byband 35 which is placed about fiberboard members 20 and 25 and drawntight as shown. The inner element thus formed is placed on outer cover15 and the cover is closed and secured by wires 16.

From the above description and drawing, it can be seen that the elementsof the disassembled fire-bomb case are supported in and spaced from thecovering of the package and from each other by fiberboard members 20 and25, washer 32, and disc 33. Also the bomb elements are padded by thesesame fiberboard members. Thus I have provided a package structure and amethod for constructing same wherein the supporting, spacing, and padding functions for an article in the package are performed by a singlematerial.

For another modification of the packaging means and method of myinvention, refer now to Figs. 4, 5, and 6, which illustrate airplaneailerons packaged according to my invention. Numbers and 41 indicate theaileron elements being packaged. The outer cover is referred to bynumber 42. The supporting, spacing, and padding members are indicated bynumbers 43 and 44. Each of these fiberboard members, 43 and 44, isprovided with a pair of elongated slots which extend partially throughthe fiberboard members and which are adapted to snugly receive andengage aileron elements 40 and 41. I prefer to arrange these slots sothat each fiberboard member has a long and a short slot which receivethe wide and the narrow ends of the ailerons, respectively. Thisarrangement of the slots can be seen in Fig. 6 wherein member 44 hasbeen provided with a larger slot 45 for receiving and engaging the largeend of an aileron, and with a smaller slot 46 for receiving and engagingthe small end of the other aileron. Fiberboard member 43 has beenprovided with a similar set of slots, larger slot 47 being oppositesmaller slot 46 so as to engage the large end of that aileron, andsmaller slot 48 being opposite larger slot 45 so as to engage the smallend of that aileron. This arrangement of the slots in the fiberboardmembers can be changed so as to have both large slots in the samefiberboard member and both small slots in the same member, however theslot arrangement as shown is preferred. It will be noted thatcooperation between the fiberboard members and the ailerons ismaintained by the action of the outer cover on fiberboard members 43 and44.

The following example is included to illustrate some of the advantagesand unusual results to be obtained by the practice of my invention.

In the following tabulation, a disassembled fire-bomb case package aspresently known to the art is compared to the disassembled fire-bombcase package of my invention in such matters as amount and types ofmaterials used, man-hours required for construction, and the like.

Present Package of my Item Package, Invention, Number of Number of ItemsItems 1. Material:

(1. Lumber 12 0 b. Rubberized hair 12 0 c. Nails (4 types). 108 12(optional) (1. S 20 0 (3. Paper (Grade O) 7 0 f. Se s 5 0 g. 3 inchstrap.-. 1 0 h. Kowfiex papen 1 0 i. inch straps.. 3 l j. Wlreboundcover. 1 1 k. Vapor-barrier bag. 1 1 (not shown) I. Fiberboard members.0 4

Total Items 171 19 2. 'Labor requirementsz a. Men required/day 5 9 b.Man-hours/week 2, 784 432 c. Man-hours/package 5.8 0.858

1 Based on production of 480 packages per week.

From the above example, it can" be seen that by the practice of myinvention, the number of items required to package a disassembledfire-bomb case can be reduced by 152 (171-19) which represents areduction of over 88.8 per cent in items required. This reduction innumber of items required makes possible many savings in the packaging offirebomb cases according to my invention, for example, smallerinventories of fewer materials are required, purchasing and accountingofmaterials is reduced, labor required to produce the package is reducedthereby permitting the operation to be carried out on less floor space,and others.

Further, the labor requirement has been reduced by 4.942 (5.8-0.858)man-hours per package or by a percentage of over 85.2 per cent. Thissaving in man-hours results in considerable reduction in expense as wellas other savings such as floor space required, and like factors. 7 v

It has also been found that the number of disassembled fire-bomb casepackages which can be placed in a box car for shipment can be increasedby at least 32 when the packages are constructed according to myinvention. This increase in the number of packages which can be shippedin a box car is very desirable and results in a substantial saving infreight costs as well as makes available more shipping space for otherpurposes and thereby helps ease the shortage of box cars.

I have described my invention with particular reference to two specificpackages; however, I intend such packages to illustrate the flexibilityand adaptability of my packaging method and means rather than to undulylimit my invention, as it will be obvious to those skilled in the art,after reading the discussion and description herein given, that myinvention can be advantageously practiced in the packaging of articlesother than those specifically referred to herein.

I claim:

1. A package, which comprises, in combination, a disassembled fire-bombcase, said fire-bomb case comprising a center cylinder and a pair ofcone-shaped end elements; an outer cover surrounding said fire-bomb andspaced from said fire-bomb; a first fiberboard member disposed in saidspace having first mounting means therein and one end of said cylinderand the apex end of one of said cone-shaped end elements mounted in saidfirst mounting means; a second fiberboard member disposed in said spacehaving second mounting means therein and the other end of said cylinderand the base end of the other of said cone-shaped end elements mountedin said second mounting means; a fiberboard washer on the outside ofsaid other cone-shaped end element at a point intermediate the apex andbase thereof, said fiberboard washer being in contact with and withinsaid first-named cone-shaped end element at the base thereof; and afiberboard disc disposed near the apex end of said other coneshaped endelement, said disc having third mounting means therein with said othercone-shaped end element mounted therein and said disc in contact withand within said first-named cone-shaped end element at a pointintermediate the base and apex ends thereof.

2. A package, which comprises, in combination, an outer cover; adisassembled fire-bomb case disposed inside said outer cover and spacedfrom said cover, said fire-bomb case comprising a center cylinder, afirst coneshaped end element and a second cone-shaped end element, theapex end of said first cone-shaped end element extending into saidsecond cone-shaped end element from the base thereof; a first fiberboardmember having a pH of from 6.5 to 7.5 disposed inside said outer covernear one end thereof communicating with said outer cover, said firstfiberboard member having a first recess therein with one end of saidcenter cylinder mounted therein, and having a second recess therein withthe lip of said first cone-shaped end element mounted therein at thebase thereof; a second fiberboard member having a pH of from 6.5 to 7.5disposed inside said outer cover near the other end thereofcommunicating with said outer cover, said second fiberboard memberhaving a first recess therein with the other end of said center cylindermounted therein, and having a second recess therein with the apex end ofsaid second cone-shaped end element mounted therein; a fiberboard washerhaving a pH of from 6.5 to 7.5 on said first cone-shaped end elementintermediate the ends thereof, said washer engaging and within saidsecond cone-shaped end element near the base thereof so as to space saidfirst and second cone-shaped end elements and prevent contacttherebetween; a fiberboard disc having a pH from 6.5 to 7 .5 disposednear the end of said first cone-shaped end element, the outer edge ofsaid disc bearing against the inside of said second cone-shaped endelement; and means urging said first and second fiberboard memberstogether so as to insure contact between said fiberboard members andsaid fire-bomb center cylinder and end elements.

3. A package, which comprises, in combination, an outer cover; adisassembled fire-bomb case disposed inside said outer cover and spacedfrom the sides and ends of said outer cover, said fire-bomb casecomprising a center cylinder, a first cone-shaped end element a secondconeshaped end element, a nipple extending from the apex end of saidsecond cone-shaped end element, said first and second cone-shaped endelements being spaced from said center cylinder and said outer cover ina coaxial arrangement with the apex end of said first cone-shaped endelement extending inside the second cone-shaped end element from thebase end thereof; a first fiberboard supporting, spacing, and paddingmember disposed inside said outer cover at one end thereof bearingagainst said one end and walls of said outer cover, a first annularrecess in one end portion of said first fiberboard member and one end ofsaid center cylinder mounted therein, a second annular recess in theother end portion of said first fiberboard member and the base end ofsaid first cone-shaped end element mounted therein; a second supporting,spacing, and padding fiberboard member disposed inside said outer coverat the other end thereof bearing against said other end and walls ofsaid outer cover, the plane of said second fiberboard member beingsubstantially parallel to the plane of said first fiberboard member, afirst annular recess in one end portion of said second fiberboard memberand the other end of said center cylinder mounted therein, said firstannular recess in said second fiberboard member being substantiallycoaxial with said first annular recess in said first fiberboard member,a second annular recess in the other end portion of said secondfiberboard member and the apex end of said second cone-shaped endelement mounted therein, said second annular recess in said secondfiberboard member being substantially coaxial with said second annularrecess in said first fiberboard member, a hole in said second fiberboardmember coaxial with said second annular recess, said nipple on saidsecond coneshaped end element being mounted in said hole; a fiberboardsupporting, spacing, and padding washer disposed on the outsidecircumference of said first cone-shaped end element intermediate thebase and apex ends thereof, the

outer circumference of said washer engaging said second cone-shaped endelement at the base thereof for spacing said first and secondcone-shaped end elements; a fiberboard supporting, spacing, and paddingdisc disposed on the apex end of said first cone-shaped end element, theouter circumference of said disc bearing against the inner side of saidsecond cone-shaped end element intermediate the ends thereof, said discfurther spacing said first and second cone-shaped end elements; andtying means urging said first and second fiberboard members together.

4. A package according to claim 3 wherein said first and secondfiberboard supporting, spacing, and padding members, said fiberboardsupporting, spacing, and padding washer, and said fiberboard supporting,spacing, and padding disc have a pH in the range of 6.5 to 7.5.

5. A package, which comprises, in combination, outer cover means, adisassembled fire-bomb case comprising hollow conoidal end members and ahollow center member nested within and spaced from said cover means withan apex end portion of one of said end members projecting into one otherof said bomb case members, a first end fiberboard member at one endportion of said cover means between the end thereof and saiddisassembled fire-bomb case members and in contact therewith, and asecond end fiberboard member in the other end portion of said covermeans between the end thereof and said disassembled fire-bomb casemembers and in contact therewith, said end fiberboard members havingmounting means therein and end portions of said bomb case membersmounted in their respective end fiberboard member mounting means, andinner fiberboard means between and in contact with said apex end portionof said one of said end members and said other member into which itprojects, said inner fiberboard means having an aperture therethroughand said apex end portion mounted in said aperture, and said firebombcase members spaced from each other in said package.

6. A package, which comprises, in combination, outer cover means,disassembled outer housing members comprising hollow conoidal endmembers and a hollow center member nested within and spaced from saidcover means with an apex end portion of one of said end membersprojecting into one other of said housing members, a first end member atone end portion of said cover means between the end thereof and saidhousing members and in contact therewith, and a second end member in theother end portion of said cover means between the end thereof and saidhousing members and in contact therewith, said end members havingportions which support, space and pad said housing members and havingmounting means therein and end portions of said housing members mountedin their respective end member mounting means, and inner means betweenand in contact with said apex end portion of said one of said endmembers and said other member into which it projects, said inner meanshaving portions which support, space and pad said housing members andhaving an aperture therethrough and said apex end portion mounted insaid aperture, and said housing members spaced from each other in saidpackage.

References Cited in the file of this patent UNITED STATES PATENTS905,449 Morton Dec. 1, 1908 1,712,782 White May 14, 1929 1,908,940Weidel May 16, 1933 2,321,063 Bohnke June 8, 1943 2,471,296 Allen et a1May 24, 1949 2,486,711 Harris Nov. 1, 1949 2,579,036 Edelman Dec. 18,1951 2,643,177 Wachter et a1 June 23, 1953 FOREIGN PATENTS 206,017Canada Nov. 30, 1920 443,534 Great Britain Mar. 2, 1936

